Choosing the right partner for transporting your materials can make a significant difference to the efficiency, costs, and safety of projects. Although an end dump trailer performs a similar function as side and bottom dump trailers, understanding the unique features of this design can help you make the correct decision. Here's a closer look at its features and benefits.

How Does an End Dump Trailer Operate?

End dump trailers unload their cargo by raising the front end—closest to the cab—allowing the materials to slide out the back through the open tailgate. These are the most common type of material-hauling trailers, especially east of the Mississippi, because they're easily maneuverable and versatile. They can drop their payload in tight spaces more easily than a side dump, which makes them very common in road and building construction as well as aggregate stockpiling operations.

End dump trailers have higher sides than side models, allowing them to carry a higher volume of material. However, they can't necessarily carry more weight. For that reason, they are typically made of lightweight aluminum in order to maximize the payload. Aluminum is less durable than steel, though, so some end dumps are manufactured using heavy-duty, abrasion-resistant steel for certain applications. 

What Are the Benefits?

In addition to carrying more volume, dumping a payload from an end dump is fast and leaves the entire load in one place. It simply needs to be repositioned manually or via additional equipment. This simplicity is the reason it's the most common solution when hauling aggregates and other materials.

When the trailer is lifted to unload, the truck must be on level ground, or there is a risk of tipping. One solution to this is a "live bottom" design, which moves the payload out of the open tailgate using a conveyor belt. This style, which is becoming increasingly popular, also offers the advantage of being able to release partial loads. Doing so eliminates the need to dump the entire load in one spot, making an end dump more like a side dump.

Finally, end dumps have a significant advantage when it comes to managing certain materials. Some loads, like asphalt and bottom ash, are sticky. Raising the trailer upward uses the power of gravity to relocate them more easily. 

If you're considering an end dump trailer partner to get your materials to their destination efficiently, turn to Clinch Mountain Transport in Thorn Hill, TN. Companies throughout the East Coast have relied on this trucking company for over seven decades for trailer and hauling solutions for shipping, aggregate transportation, dump trailers, and more. To discuss your needs, call (865) 767-3610 to speak with a team member. Visit the website to learn more about the company.